Neurodegenerative disorders results in inflammatory processes, including inflammatory cytokine secretion and concomitant superoxide production. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) influence neuro degeneration through anti-inflammatory effects. Donepezil as an AChEIs also provide neuro protection. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of donepezil (DZ) as a potent acetyl-cholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor, L-NG-Nitroarginine methyl ester (L.NAME) as non-selective nitric oxide synthase inhibitor and 7-nitroindazole (7-NI) as a selective neuronal nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor against Amyloid beta-peptide (1-42) (Aβ(1-42)) induced neurological disorder. Rats were divided into six groups including control, Aβ(1-42) ,Aβ(1-42) +L-arginine, Aβ(1-42) +L-NAME ,Aβ(1-42) +7-NI, and Aβ(1-42) +DZ. Brain AChE, malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, super oxidedismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione, interleukin 1-beta (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) were measured. Also, brain fatty acids fractions were estimated by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Aβ(1-42) significantly alter levels of brain antioxidant, inflammatory markers and fatty acids content compared to the control group. Treatment with L.NAME, 7-NI and especially DZ improve these parameters. Administration of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors such as DZ attenuates neurodegenerative disorders through decreasing oxidation and inflammation.

Keywords: Neurotoxicity, Aβ (1-42), Donepezil, Nitric oxide, 7-nitroindazole, Fatty acids, HPLC

Abstract: In this work, we consider linear and nonlinear Volterra integral equations of the second kind. Here, by converting integral equation of the first kind to a linear equation of the second kind and the ordinary differential equation to integral equation we are going to solve the equation easily. The Adomian decomposition method or shortly (ADM) is used to find a solution to these equations. The Adomian decomposition method converts the Volterra integral equations into determination of computable components. The existence and uniqueness of solutions of linear (or nonlinear) Volterra integral equations of the second kind are expressed by theorems. If an exact solution exists for the problem, then the obtained series convergence very rabidly to that solution. A nonlinear term F(u) in nonlinear volterra integral equations is Lipschitz continuous and has polynomial representation. Finally, the sufficient condition that guarantees a unique solution of Volterra (linear and nonlinear) integral equations with the choice of the initial data is obtained, and the solution is found in series form. Theoretical considerations are being discussed. To illustrate the ability and simplicity of the method. A few examples including linear and nonlinear are provided to show validity and applicability of this approach. The results are taken from the works mentioned in the reference. 

Genetically encoded calcium indicators (GECIs) have gained widespread use for measurement of neuronal activity but their low expression levels in transgenic mice tend to limit sensitivity. We have developed a transgenic mouse line (SyG37) that expresses a ratiometric calcium sensor, SyGCaMP2-mCherry, that is expressed throughout the brain but targeted to presynaptic terminals. Within the CA1 and CA3 regions of hippocampus of male and female mice, SyGaMP2 fluorescence responds linearly up to 10 electrical stimuli at frequencies up to 100 Hz and it can detect responses to a single stimulus. Responses in single boutons can be measured using multiphoton microscopy. The ensemble amplitude of SyGCaMP2 responses is a function of the number of stimuli applied and the number of contributing boutons. The peak responses and initial rates of calcium influx in single boutons in CA1 and CA3 were similar but the rate of calcium clearance from CA3 boutons after stimulation was significantly faster. In CA1, DNQX reduced SyGCaMP2 responses to Schaffer collateral stimulation to 86% of baseline indicating that 14% of the total response originated from presynaptic terminals of neurones synaptically driven via AMPA receptors. Theta burst stimulation induced long-term potentiation (LTP) of both SyGCaMP2 and fEPSP responses in both young and 18-month-old mice. The proportion of postsynaptically connected terminals increased significantly to 76% of the total after LTP induction. The SyG37 mouse allows stable optical detection of synaptic activation and connectivity at the single bouton level and can be used to characterize the contributions of presynaptic calcium to synaptic transmission and plasticity.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a progressive age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive impairment of memory and cognitive functions. Oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and neurotransmitters disturbance may play an important role. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of donepezil alone and in combination with nitric oxide synthase (NOS) substrate L-arginine, and nitric oxide synthase inhibitor (NOSi) Ng-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester hydrochloride (L-NAME) and 7-nitroindazole against aluminum chloride (AlCl3) induced neurotoxicity. A total of 36 male albino rats were divided to six groups: control normal saline, AlCl3. ,Donepezil, Donepezil+ L-arginine, Donepezil+ L-NAME, and Donepezil+7-nitroindazole. Neurotoxicity was induced by AlCl3 in a dose of 10 mg/Kg subcutaneously for 30 days. After the experimental period, brain was removed for determination of acetylcholinesterase activity (AChE), levels of fatty acids fractions by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α). AlCl3 significantly increase brain levels of AChE, IL-1β, and TNF-α, and arachidonic acid (AA) and linoleic acid (LA). Treatment with Donepezil alone and in combination with L.NAME and 7-nitroindazole significantly attenuates these changes. In conclusion, regulation of nitric oxide (NO) level is the key for stability and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. Combination of Donepezil with nitric oxide synthase inhibitors especially 7-nitroindazole attenuates the oxidant and inflammatory induced by AlCl3.

Keywords: AlCl3, L. NAME, Donpezil, fatty acids, HPLC

This paper presents some initial studies for characterizing effects of human body movements on short range indoor links at 18-22 GHz. Firstly, measurement system is described, and then, calibration measurements along with initial results of the impact of human body movement on the channel are presented for some scenarios. 

This research paper was motivated by the observation that exams are the main (if not the sole) method of assessment in the postgraduate programs in the English departments in the University of Zawia and the Libyan Academy. The aim was investigating and experimenting the use of assignment as another method of assessing students’ achievement.

To fulfill this aim, the researcher taught the students in the two English departments separately and simultaneously one of the subjects, namely ELT Methodology. Instead of giving them a typical midterm exam, students were asked to do an assignment in which they evaluate the suitability of some textbooks in teaching and learning English as a foreign language and adapt these books to be suitable for the Libyan context. The same students were given a formal and final exam at the end of the course. The comparison of the scores of the two assessment methods has shown that students did better in the assignment than in the exam. This has supported the results of the questionnaire which was given to the same students. These results indicated that half of the students preferred using assignments to using exams while another considerable number preferred the use of a mixture of assignments and exams. Only a few students selected exams as their preferred method of assessment.

Therefore, it is recommended that assignment as a method of assessing students achievement should be integrated into MA programs in Libyan universities and academies due to its role in improving the students’ practical skills and abilities and enhancing their understanding of the learned subjects.